Motivations for first-time and repeat backpackers in Shanghai

• This study examines motivations for first-time and repeat backpackers in Shanghai.
• Personal interviews were used to generate 183 valid samples.
• Repeat backpackers stay longer in days than first-time backpacking trips.
• Push factors were stronger than the pull factors for backpackers to visit Shanghai.

This study examines the differences in motivations for backpackers who made first-time and repeat backpacking trips in Shanghai. The backpackers were personally interviewed in Shanghai and 183 valid samples were used in the analyses. The average stay in Shanghai for the first-time, second-time, and third-time (or more) backpackers was 6.44 days, 7.50 days, and 9.42 days, respectively. Although the repeat backpackers stayed in Shanghai longer than the first-time backpackers, the former were less motivated. The findings in this study revealed that the push factors were stronger than the pull factors for backpackers. Suggestions to attract repeat backpackers are provided in this study.